Take your time along Sand Lake's Auto Tour

April 18, 2008|By Sarah Ottney, sottney@aberdeennews.com

A friend and I drove up to Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge this past weekend to check out the Auto Tour, a scenic 15-mile loop through the heart of the refuge. Before even embarking on the well-marked, self-guiding route, I was dazzled by the most impressive sight of the day: a herd of deer - at least 15, white tails in the air - bounding across the road and into a wooded area near the Visitor's Center. Unfortunately, it happened too quickly to grab my camera, but it was quite the introduction for my first trip to Sand Lake. Eric Mahnke of Aberdeen was one of the few other people we came across at the refuge that day. Just like us, Mahnke said he didn't see much wildlife - but he heard a lot. "It gets noisier the longer I sit here. It's like in stereo - I hear birds over here and over here," Mahnke marveled, gesturing to either side of where he was sitting on an observation tower along the tour route. Mahnke, a transplant to the area from southern California, was also checking out the Auto Tour for the first time. "The trail is really fun," Mahnke concluded before leaving the avian symphony and climbing back on his motorcycle to finish the loop. "I'd like to do this again." I second that. Sand Lake Auto Tour

Wildlife seen: Lots of pheasants, waterfowl, birds. Also, a musk rat and a herd of deer. Ironically, a pheasant flew right in front of us as we were pulling up to the No. 11 sign, which is marked with a pheasant. (Also missed that one with my camera.)

Wildlife heard: Pheasants, waterfowl, birds, frog. Directions: From Aberdeen, take U.S. Highway 12 East six miles to Bath Corner. Turn north onto Brown County Road 16 and follow brown directional signs.

Getting started: The Auto Tour starts from the Visitor Center on Brown County Road 16, about eight miles north of Columbia. Visitor Center hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except federal holidays.

Tour hours: The refuge is open during daylight hours.

Cost: Free.

'Off-roading': The refuge says you are welcome to explore places of interest on foot, but asks that you do not drive off the graveled roads.

Guide pamphlet: The route is well-marked with signs, so a tour route pamphlet is not necessary. However, the pamphlet, available at the Visitor Center and some kiosks on the grounds, offers helpful commentary on what wildlife or habitat can be seen at each of the 12 marked stopping points along the route. For example, the guide points out roosting areas for bald eagles and shelter belts where hawks or owls can sometimes be found, and explains the nesting habitats of ducks and other birds. It also offers background information on historical sites like the Mud Lake Dike and the steamboats that could be seen chugging down the James River in another era.

Take your time: The tour route pamphlet states that completing the loop usually takes an hour and a half. With a brief stop at each marker and at the observation deck, our trip clocked in at an hour and 45 minutes. However, it would be very easy to stretch the route into two hours or longer, depending on how slow you drive or how much time you spend birdwatching or soaking up the scenery at stops.

Best times to go: A sign at the observation deck says early morning and late afternoon are the best times to observe wildlife.

Traffic: We saw two other vehicles, a motorcycle and a hiker on Sunday.

Advice: Drive very slowly, 10 miles an hour at the most, because wildlife might be scared away if they hear you coming on the noisy gravel roads. If you pull over and get out of your vehicle, be careful of slamming car doors or the beeping from keys in the ignition - both could also scare ducks and animals away.